I am always very interested in hearing about products that are potentially hazardous to the health my dog — after-all he is my baby! So when I came across the following information about spot-on pesticide products, I wanted to share the information with others who love their pets too! I also wonder if there are alternatives for flea/tick control that are not potentially harmful.
The EPA has reported that they are intensifying their evaluation of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control due to recent increases in the number of reported adverse reactions in pets treated with these products. Adverse reactions that have been reported range from mild effects such as skin irritation to more serious effects such as seizures and, in some cases, death of the pet.
According to the EPA, the majority of reports are related to flea and tick treatments with EPA-registered spot-on products. http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/prodname-reg.pdf Spot-on products are generally sold in tubes or vials and are applied to one or more localized areas such as down the spine or in specific spots. The EPA does note that many people use the products with no harm to their pets, but they are recommending the following precautions be taken when using these products:
- Follow label directions and monitor pets for any signs of an adverse reaction after application.
- Consult your veterinarian before using these products on weak, aged, pregnant or nursing pets, or on pets with a history of sensitivity to pesticide products.
At this point, the EPA is NOT issuing a recall or suggesting that the products not be used. They just want to advise pet owners to exercise caution and monitor their pet for adverse reactions.
To read the full report: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/flea-tick-control.html